EUROPEAN THERMAL ABLATION DEVICES MARKET

In the medical devices industry, the term "ablation"-primarily referring to radiofrequency or RF ablation-has become a common description attached to devices that "kill or remodel selective tissue without vaporizing the major structures themselves." Today, minimally invasive thermal ablation involves not only RF, but laser, microwave and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) technologies that are commonly utilized in several established, growing, technology-driven medical treatment areas such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), cancer/tumor ablation, endometrial ablation/menorrhagia, and the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency/varicose veins.

Combined, the European thermal ablation devices market-including sales derived from generators and energy-based catheters, electrodes/probes, disposables, procedure kits, and accessories used in the treatment of BPH, cancer/tumors, menorrhagia, and chronic venous insufficiency/varicose veins in the countries of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom-totaled more than an estimated $250 million. Despite ongoing European economic instability and severe budget constraints, each market segment profiled in this report is expected to increase at conservative yet positive compound annual growth rates over the next five years-ranging from approximately 2.6%-3.3%-due to growing demand, cost-efficiency and efficacy, the gradual adoption of improved, next-generation technologies, and an aging European population susceptible to various diseases/conditions.